June 17 , 2010
Balcony & patio renovate; reliable comebacks
of late , I ’ve had short sentence to crop in the garden . Rather than moaning ( too much ) for all that must be done , I ’m observe a few summer reliables that went through two age of drouth , extreme estrus , and 10º.
The crape Vinca minor was the first tree I ever planted . These days , you may get potpourri resistant to powdery mildew , unlike this one , and in many coloring and sizes , include small bush . But our first tree has been with us many years , and we love its graceful limbs and skin as much as the flowers . Every year we say , “ I think we ’ve got more blush than ever ! ” It bloom like crazy every year , but still , we have to say it . Family custom .
This year , plumbago are slow to fulfill in , but give ’em a week or two more and they ’ll be in full military unit . Already , my Edward D. White is shyly blooming against the blue air .
I ’ve heard from so many nurseryman who ’ve gotten recent surprises . One is from dear viewer Katy . Her garden really have a licking last winter . She ’d just about give up on her cycad ( sago laurel wreath ) when some fuzzy browned poppycock look on top . Yahoo ! In a few Day , she reported new leaves .
This althea / Rose of Sharon ( Hibiscus syriacus ) come with the house ; likely planted in the 70s , or maybe to begin with by the very first owners .
If you care hibiscus flowers and need a seraphic accent shrub / small tree diagram in sun to fond tint , consider this onetime - fashioned sexual love . It ’s deciduous , but about as self - sufficient as they number .
Last year ’s first - time love was the spider lily , HymenocallisSulphur Queen . Drought & frost did n’t waylay its return . I lie with the cool off yellow flush against mostly evergreen glossy firm foliage , in my semi - shade orbit .
This workweek on CTG , Tom meets withdesigner Jenny Petersonto snazzy up your terrace or balcony . They do n’t just ask to be spots where you park the grillroom and the swimming puddle towel ! Jenny illustrates how she renovated her tiny balcony to put out her living space .
For terrace and balcony alike , Jenny has simple , cheap melodic theme to turn these oft - overlooked spaces into real survive rooms .
Daphne answer a viewer ’s question about this noxious weedthat ’s overtaking his garden . Thanks , Shawn !
It’sSmilax bona - nox . I ’ll give you a sneak preview of what she say to do : when the ground is wet , dig out its deep roots . Herbicides are n’t that effective , and without extreme care , can harm the neighboring plants you appreciate . I have the same problem with snailseed ( Cocculus carolinus ) .
Wildlife make love the berries , but it strangles everything in its path , and the roots go from my firm to south Austin ! Get all ofDaphne ’s smashing tips & plant information on our website . And avaluable bookto summate to your tilt : A Practical Guideto Edible & Useful Plantsby Delena Tull . That ’s where I first identify my snailseed .
On tour , check out Lana & Robert Beyer’stotal makeover - philosophically as well as new outer space - when they affect from Houston to Austin . Robert is a passionate plant collector , who chronicles his discovery , elaborated flora inclination , and tips atCentral Texas Gardening .
Here ’s one of the plants you ’ll find on his web site : Variegated Calamondin Orange .
It ’s dauntless to 20 ° with evergreen plant , bright variegate foliage . It stays small and compact , ( sodding for that patio , huh ? ) , with fragrant citrus blooms followed by small , lemony fruit .
Find out more about it and other citrus plantswith Merredith Jiles from The Great Outdoors .
As always , you could watchJenny , Daphne , the Beyers , and John online !
Until next week , Linda
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